Press

"With hours to go before the Great American Eclipse, nine outstanding guests joined host Mat Kaplan for Planetary Radio Live in front of 1,100 rowdy eclipse and space science fans. Also at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for the show was the Jenny Johnson Band with its new song, “Solar Eclipse. "

Jackie Mansky with additional research by Lauren Johnson and Jesse Sparks

SMITHSONIAN.COM

"A village full of artists and entrepreneurs (who have been the subject of ballads), Makanda was once a thriving railroad hub, which has since which leaned into its own character and creativity to evolve into a funky artisan hamlet."

"She’s broad and striking at times, but she also can sing with a nostalgic, almost hill-country lilt. At times, it’s the same fine Victrola warbling other Americana revivalists such as Pokey LaFarge have used to great effect."

"While "Torch Ditties" is more like taking your friend into a hallway to have a one-on-one conversation, seeing Johnson live is like being at a dinner party with friends. The harmonies and the instrumentation bring the listeners in, making them part of the community Johnson holds so dear. That live experience completes the whole of Johnson’s music."

“Jenny Johnson is the best new Carbondale musician in a long time, and that's saying a lot in light of this city's extraordinary music scene. Artists seldom emerge so fully formed as she did. It is amazing to see someone so young perform with such easy confidence and excellence, who writes songs with such a great mixture of maturity and vigor.”